The day started out promising. It was cold at the start, and there were actually a couple snow flurries, but we could see a little blue sky to the east, and some more to the west down the canyon. That soon changed, and the canyon was socked in with dark angry clouds. I was gonna get soaked, but I took solace in the fact that I would not be alone.

The first 7 miles were great. I was right on pace, maybe a touch ahead. I tried very hard to just flow easy through those miles. Taking the free speed from the downhill course without exhausting myself. Took a GU at mile 5 and powerade at the other two aid station. It started raining about 2mi into the race, but I still felt comfortable.

Mile 7-13 felt good. The course flattened, and had some slight uphills. Pace was solid right where I wanted to be. Effort was good. Around the halfway mark is when I really started to notice the cold. My hands were starting to HURT, but everything else was doing fine. Somehow I missed the GU station at mi 9.

Mile 13-22 this is where I lost my goal. Mile 14 has a hill. It was tougher than I expected, and I had a hard time picking up the pace after. Then at mile 15.5 I had to stop and use the porta, and tighten my left shoe. That stop cost me three minutes, and put me behind pace. I started down the lower canyon, and was running below pace, I just didn't have enough energy to pick up the pace. I was scanning the roadside for dropped gloves. Finally found a pair and was able to get at least my fingers covered. Somehow I also missed the GU station at mile 17 :(

Mile 22-finish. What can I say. It's tough to run a marathon while packing a piano..... The wheels totally came off about mile 23. I did get a gel in from the mi 23 aid station, but it was far too late. I had to take several walking breaks. When running I was reduced to the dead mans shuffle. dozens of runners blew past me in the final miles. It hurt, but I finished.

Yes, it is a shiny new PR for me, yet I can't help but be a little disappointed. I know I had a 3:15 to 3:20 in me. I guess it is just going to have to wait a little longer to show.

1. Carry my own nutrition in a squeeze bottle. If I could have staved off the bonk then I should have easily completed in 3:25

2. Speed work in training. Having one more gear should make this pace feel better even after 26.2 miles

3. Train more. Let's face it. I have only been running for two years. This has been a great accomplishment!

4. Dress better for the environment. Gloves and heaters would have made a huge difference

Tried for a massage, but I was cramping and shivering too much for the ladies to do any good. Almost ended in medical, but the warming tent, and hot broth delivered by fantastic volunteers pulled me up. Got warm enough to go to the truck, and sit with the heater on to really get better.

Ate half a subway Ham sandwich, then grabbed an umbrella (my wife is awesome about having stuff like that stashed in the truck) and went to cheer my wife in on her first marathon! I was worried she was not going to be happy, but she crossed that finish line with a smile!


Weather was a factor, so was a couple blisters. What it really boils down to is blasting out too fast, and then missing three critical nutrition stops. I am not trained well enough yet to hold on for 26.2 with just my onboard glycogen.


Well ran race. It has the best race shirt that I have received to date. A quality long sleeved 1/4 zip tech shirt. I was too cold and mentally fatigued to notice much about the finish area, but all the volunteers were top notch!